In order to strengthen research capacity in Nigeria, the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) has decided to redirect research for national development by ensuring that the research carried out addresses existing problems in Nigeria.
President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Professor Ekanem Braide, stated this Monday during a stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja, with the theme: “Strengthening Research Capacity in Nigeria.”
She stated that there are some fundamental challenges other than funding that needs to be addressed and inadequate research capacity, poor quality of research to national development should also be addressed alongside funding.
Professor Braide said a change will come when all stakeholders, particularly the government, realise that research can make a significant difference in Nigeria’s development.
She said: “It is our belief that a health collaboration between researchers, government and industry will cost this change to happen.
“Research translation is the key in this workshop which is bridging a gap between knowledge gained through research and its application in policy and practice as a problem in Nigeria,” she stated.
Acting president, African University of Science and Technology, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, said Nigeria’s underdevelopment can largely be attributed to the fact that the research and innovation ecosystem is weak and does not impact positively on the productive sector of the economy.
He added that the situation can be changed if the existing research and innovation ecosystem is strengthened in order to use research and innovation to drive the productive sector and hence achieve development.
Prof. Akinyinka Omigbodun of the University of Ibadan said brain drain is the migration of intellectuals and other talented and skilled human resources to other locations and vocations where their skills and expertise were not originally intended for use.
